Grace for the Moment

I can envision the scene now: an overcrowded street, full of sweaty bodies pushing and pressing up against one another just to be near and see the man everyone is talking about, the man named Jesus.  And one amidst the crowd is a woman who has suffered from bleeding for 12 years.  It says in Mark 5:26, “She had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.”  She had tried all the medicine and all the remedies the world had to offer . . . none of them had healed her.  And having heard about Jesus and his ability to heal others, she believed in the power of being near to him, of touching him and feeling him presence.  So she made her way through the crowd believing in faith, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well” (vs. 28).  I’m sure she had to work very hard to reach him, pushing her way through the crowd and stretching her arm as far as it possibly could reach just to make the distance.  And believing in faith that she would be healed from her disease, she grabbed his garment.  Knowing that healing power had gone out from him, Jesus stopped dead in his tracks and asked, “Who touch my garments” (vs. 30).  The disciples thought he was crazy for asking the question, as a sea of faces surrounded them.  “Who touched me,” he asked a second time (vs. 31).  The woman, shaking with fear, approached Jesus and fell to his feet.  “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (vs. 34).

 

In just one moment, in just one single touch, undeserved grace and healing mercy were hers.  Today, as I remember Maria and the journey God has taken me on since her home-going a year ago today, I understand the power that is in the healing touch of God.  And while He didn’t heal Maria with the touch we selfishly wanted, He healed her forever!  While I am here, still on this side of eternity, I must continue to move toward Jesus.  I have to push through the crowd of emotions: anger, fear, doubt, sadness, grief, stretching the hands of my heart to grab a hold of Jesus.  And it is in those moments when I truly move toward him and cling to him that the sea of emotions is calmed.  I understand my need for grace: grace for the moment, grace for the day, and grace for this life.  And just as Jesus told the bleeding woman after she had been healed, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease,” I must remember that faith in Jesus is what leads to complete restoration of the broken hearted.  To be honest, there are moments that it is hard to see God as the one who heals and comforts his people.  But I must have faith in those moments, and in having faith, my heart will be healed.

 

I pray this encourages you today.  Thank you for your continued prayers for my family and me as we remember our sweet Missy Moo today.

Comments

[Beth]

Emily, our family is thinking of and praying for yours today.

Beth

[Laura]

Emily, your family has been in my prayers just about everyday this past year. in your moments of grief and tragedy, you have touched more lives than you can probably even imagine. your faith and honesty have been such a comfort to so many who have suffered similar tragedies or even to those of us who have never experienced a tragedy such as yours. i know that my faith and hope in the Lord has been renewed and brought back to life, in my own personal life, just by being someone on the outside looking in on the tragedy and road that you all have been walking through. my prayers and thoughts continue for all of you. remembering little Maria Sue Chapman, on this day.

[Nicole]

So beautifully written. I am and will continue to pray for you and your family.

[Hannah H]

Emily,
You and your family continue to be in my prayers. I pray that God will give you the peace that passes all understanding in these hard times. Sending you my love and prayers!

[Deb]

We continue to lift you and your family up to our Papa, in prayer and in faith in His goodness. And we look forward with incredible hope to the day we all gather together with Maria, to sing praises to Him, and rejoice with dancing.......when we all are Home.

With hugs from the Gangemi family

[Heather Marie Flatt]

Praying for you and your familiy! Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement!

with love in Christ and great hope for our little ones in heaven...

[Marian]

Emily,
thanks for your words. There are people all over the world remembering you and your family in their prayers. I am so sorry for the loss and pain that you are still experiencing. I'm thankful for your testimony as it glorifies God and shows others what it looks like when God's people grieve. Thank you. We will not stop praying.
in Christ our joy and strength,
Marian

[Vanessa Schaecher (from Nebraska)]

Oh, Emily! Your words and faith have inspired me today. Thank you for them. You and your family are covered in my prayers today. May you truly feel His divine presence and SEE that He truly loves you. Just as you are loved by so many of us out here. In Christ, Vanessa:)

[lori]

So beautifully written! I know your parents are so proud of you and your brothers and sisters. Many prayers and much love for your family!

Lori and Abigail
NC

[Debbie from Ohio]

Emily, what a precious young lady you are. You have so much wisdom at such a young age. You all have truly been constantly on my mind, "especially today." I stop by the blogs every day so, I can honestly say you are all on my mind daily. May God embrace you with his arms and give you peace on this one year anniversary. Prayers!

[Beverly]

Many, many prayers to you. Keep on keeping on, as Maria would not want you to waste one moment being sad. One day you will all be in the Big House together again.

Hugs,

Beverly

[Cindie]

What a wonderful tribute from Maria's big sister. We are praying for all of you today and know that one day you will all be dancing with Maria again.

Treasure the memories and continue holding onto Jesus.

[laurie]

Emily, Thanks for taking time to write that. I have prayed for you today too. God has been so faithful to remind me and others to pray. It really is a cool thing. I think you are probably the most prayed for family in this country besides maybe those who are praying for the president. :) Much love you, Laurie

[Chris M]

Thank you for taking the time to share today. Beautifully written. I pray you have a sense of peace and God's presence. Enjoy your family today.

[Lori]

Emily,
Thank you for sharing. Truly encouraging words. You and your dear family have been in our prayers all year. I remember the moment my husband told me of Maria's homegoing. We had just recently been to see your dad and brothers in concert...our first in many years and our 5 children's first ever. They were so excited. Our youngest is ours through adoption with the help of ShowHope. :) We felt so connected that evening to the hearts of your family in so many ways. And I will never forget the moment I heard the news of Maria...and Will. We have prayed, the children as well; and we will continue to pray and seek to live lives worthy of the awesome Sovereign God who holds us in Christ Jesus as we walk this journey on this side of eternity. Keep pushing forward to grab hold of the Savior. I know I need to daily. Hold on tight!
In HIM,
Lori
SC

[Diane]

Only one word seems to express my thought's "Beautiful".

[Jean Ann]

You are your family are prayed for continuously. Thinking of you on this day

[Diane]

Emily,
Remembering Maria today along with your family and many others.
Such lovely words & oh so true - there are so many hurting from one kind of loss or another that they would benefit from reading your blog.
Love & God Bless,
Diane

[Cheri]

Emily - what a way you have with words. I pray for God's graceful peace to cover you and your family today. I, too, can't wait until my faith isn't faith anymore - when what I SEE is our Jesus. Come quickly, Lord.

[KK]

Hey Emily! I just wanted to say how much I look up to you. You are a role model for me, and I was amazed that you wrote something as sweet as that today, when I know you must be hurting. I am praying for you and your family on this hard day, as well as all the days to come.

[Julie]

What a beautiful message for me, and for everyone. We only have this very moment, and through His infinite love, God has provided the grace we need for this time. Stretch hard, and hold to His hand. Praying for you and your family.
Julie

[Julie Nicholas]

Emily, I am praying for your family on this very difficult day!

[yogamama]

so eloquent. just like your dad, you speak God's truth. remembering with you today, praying, carrying you to our loving Father.
millie

[yogamama]

so eloquent and such wisdom! just like your dad, you speak God's truth. Remembering with you this day. Praying God holds you each in His loving arms.
millie

[Bethany]

I've prayed for your family so much this past year, and I promise to keep on.